Inter forward Marcus Thuram believes that losing the recent Champions League final wasn`t the end of opportunities for the team. He emphasized that both the club and he personally have many seasons ahead.
Thuram shared his thoughts with The Athletic before the final Club World Cup group match against River Plate.
Inter returned to play shortly after suffering a heavy 5-0 defeat to PSG in the Champions League final on May 31st.
“Everyone saw what happened,” stated Thuram. “We played against a fantastic team, arguably the best globally. Nothing went right for us that day.”
“Everything was going well for them,” he continued. “And the result was clear: 5-0. That score perfectly sums up how the match unfolded.”
Thuram added that he doesn`t believe football fans will define Inter`s Champions League season solely by the final match, citing their strong performances against top clubs like Barcelona and Bayern Munich earlier in the campaign.
He mentioned their strong group stage performance and insisted he doesn`t judge their Champions League run just by the final. He feels the team developed, and while the final result was disappointing, it shouldn`t overshadow the entire season`s effort.
Thuram then referenced basketball star Giannis Antetokounmpo, quoting Giannis who famously stated that Michael Jordan didn`t “fail” just because he didn`t win a championship every year. Thuram echoed this sentiment, saying it`s the correct perspective on sports – the journey is important, alongside the final result. He acknowledged the competitive desire to win but stressed the significance of the path taken to reach the final.
Despite ending the 2024-25 season without major trophies, Thuram sees many positive aspects in Inter`s campaign.
The French international asserted that the team shouldn`t discard the value of their journey. He stated he would “sign up” to reach the final every season if given the choice, highlighting that reaching that stage is an achievement in itself.
Since the final, Inter has also undergone a coaching change, with club icon Cristian Chivu taking over from Simone Inzaghi, who managed the team for the previous four seasons.
Regarding the new coach, Thuram commented: “We know Cristian was a great legend for the club. Inter`s DNA runs through his veins,” Thuram remarked, emphasizing Chivu`s deep connection to the team.
Reiterating his point about the final not being the last opportunity, Thuram noted that the majority of the squad from that match are still under contract with Inter. He feels the team didn`t view it as a final chance.
“We were simply sad to lose the final, especially in that manner, missing a significant opportunity that could have been a highlight of our careers,” he explained. He concluded by firmly stating that it wasn`t the *last* opportunity, but rather an opportunity they *missed*.
It was noted that Thuram is currently injured and had made only one appearance in the Club World Cup.
The 27-year-old forward had a productive season, registering 18 goals and nine assists in 49 appearances for Inter across all competitions.
